What started as a corporate data breach has escalated into a full-blown diplomatic standoff. South Korean e-commerce giant Coupang disclosed in November that a former employee stole an internal security key, exposing data from 33.7 million users. Seoul responded aggressively — raiding headquarters, launching tax audits, and summoning executives. CEO Bom Kim refused to appear.
Now Washington is reportedly threatening to pause high-level defence talks, including nuclear submarine cooperation, unless South Korea backs off Kim. Fifty-four Republican lawmakers called Seoul's response a "whole-of-government assault." Coupang has spent over $11 million lobbying Washington since 2021. Analysts warn the alliance may be approaching a breaking point.
Source: The Guardian